Creation of the graduate program, which would be the first such standalone program in Louisville and only the fifth in Kentucky, addresses a critical need in the state, where the need for mental healthcare providers has increased significantly since the
pandemic.
A 2023 report by Mental Health America (MHA) estimated that although 21.9 percent of adults in Kentucky were identified as having a mental illness, compared to 20.8 percent nationally, more than half of them did not receive treatment. In addition, more
than three-fourths of young people experiencing depression do not receive behavioral health services.
“In Kentucky, there are 390 individuals for every one mental health provider,” said Dr. Felicia Smith, assistant professor of Psychology, who will oversee the new degree program. “With a growing demand for mental health services, the
need for well-prepared providers cannot be overstated.”
Psychology is a popular undergraduate major at Bellarmine. It has consistently ranked in the Top 5 majors declared by incoming first-time full-time students for the past five years. The new master’s degree in Clinical Psychology would allow the
university to retain graduates with bachelor’s degrees in Psychology as well as to recruit other top undergraduate students regionally.
Bellarmine President Susan M. Donovan noted that creating an opportunity for students to obtain much needed professional training at Bellarmine is consistent with the university’s mission of preparing individuals to serve, lead and create positive
change. “With national reports documenting the widespread prevalence of mental health disorders, it is now more important than ever for Bellarmine University to lead in helping to build a stronger mental health system,” she said.
Graduates with a Clinical Psychology master’s degree can work as clinical practitioners, offering assessment, diagnosis and therapy services. They often work in settings such as community mental health centers, hospitals and schools or in private
practice with individuals, families and groups.
National and state-level data support the importance of training individuals in this field, Smith said.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that national employment for behavioral and mental health counselors will grow 18% from 2022 to 2032, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. The demand for behavioral and mental health counselors
in Kentucky will increase over 20% in coming years, according to KET Education data.
In addition, a 2024 change in Kentucky’s licensing law means that individuals with a master’s in Clinical Psychology will be able to practice independently three years sooner than before. The Kentucky Board of Examiners of Psychology can now
license individuals with a master’s degree following two years of professional supervised psychological services, rather than five.
“This new regulation will make the master’s degree in psychology a more attractive degree for those seeking to provide mental health services,” Smith said.
The Master of Science in Clinical Psychology, which is pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges and the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, is a two-year, 60-hour program with classes conducted
in person. Graduates will meet the requirements for certification as a Licensed Psychological Practitioner in the state of Kentucky, and the program corresponds to the American Psychological Association’s Standards of Accreditation for Health
Service Psychology Master’s programs.
Learn more and request more information about the program at
this link.